Salvia plant named &#39;SGRRE04-1&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Salvia  cultivar named ‘SGRRE04-1’ is disclosed, characterized by vigorous plants with a large, upright form and long flowering period. Flowers are bright red. Calyces are persistent and retain their red color. The new variety is a  Salvia splendens , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Salvia splendens.

Variety denomination: ‘SGRRE04-1’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Salvia cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Michael Uchneat in Bellefonte, Pa. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Salvia splendens varieties with large, upright plant habits in a range of flower colors and persistent calyces. The self-pollination resulting in this new variety was made during June of 2013.

The selfed parent variety is an unpatented, proprietary, Salvia splendens referred to as ‘28744-1’ The new variety was identified as a potentially interesting selection in August 2014, at a greenhouse in Bellefonte, Pa.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SGRRE04-1’ by vegetative cuttings was first performed during August of 2014, at a research greenhouse in Bellefonte, Pa. Subsequent propagation has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type on successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SGRRE04-1’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SGRRE04-1’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SGRRE04-1’ as a new and distinct Salvia cultivar:

-   -   1. Vigorous, large, upright plant larger than most Salvia         splendens in the trade.     -   2. Long flowering period from young plant until frost.     -   3. Calyces are persistent and color of the calyx is retained.     -   4. Bright red flowers.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SGRRE04-1’ are similar to plants of the parent in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘SGRRE04-1’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. The parent variety has a more tightly packed inflorescence,         with less space between individual flowers than the new variety.     -   2. Size of the new variety is approximately 25% to 30% larger in         size of than the parent variety.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SGRRE04-1’ can also be compared to the commercial variety Salvia splendens ‘Saucy Red’, unpatented. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however ‘SGRRE04-1’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety has brighter red flowers than ‘Saucy Red’.     -   2. A higher percentage of calyx persistence is observed in the         new variety.     -   3. Foliage of the new variety is darker green.     -   4. The new variety is not sterile, whereas ‘Saucy Red’ appears         to be sterile.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SGRRE04-1’ can also be compared to the commercial variety Salvia splendens ‘Lighthouse Red’, unpatented. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however ‘SGRRE04-1’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Flowers of the new variety do not fade as quickly as flowers         of ‘Lighthouse Red’.     -   2. Flowering spikes of the new variety are longer than those of         ‘Lighthouse Red’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘SGRRE04-1’ grown in a greenhouse, in Santa Paula, Calif., in a commercial 10 inch container.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color typical flowering spikes of ‘SGRRE04-1’. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 3 months from 3 rooted cuttings. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘SGRRE04-1’ plants grown in a greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. The growing temperature ranged from approximately 10° C. to 30° C. The greenhouse is un-shaded, giving bright, normal sunlight conditions. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Salvia splendens ‘SGRRE04-1’. -   Propagation:     -   -   Root description.—Fine, densely fibrous. Colors include             Green-White 157D on new growth and Orange-White 159C,             Grey-Brown 199B and 199C for older roots. -   Plant:     -   -   Growth habit.—Upright and somewhat outwardly angled.         -   Pot size of plant described.—1 gallon pot.         -   Height.—Approximately 25 cm to top of foliage. Approximately             50 cm to top of flowering plane. Measured from soil level of             pot.         -   Plant spread.—Approximately 48 cm.         -   Growth rate.—Rapid.         -   Branching characteristics.—Moderately well branched.             Approximately 2 to 4 branches emerging from a pinch, which             branch into another 2 to 4 primary lateral branches.         -   Length of primary lateral branches.—Approximately 12 cm.         -   Diameter of lateral branches.—Approximately 0.5 cm.         -   Quantity of lateral branches.—About 16 to 24.         -   Stem.—Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A. Nodes lightly             flushed Red 45A Texture: Pubescent and ribbed.         -   Internode length.—Average range 2.5 to 4.0 cm.         -   Age of plant described.—Approximately 20 weeks from 3 rooted             cuttings. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Opposite. Quantity: Average range 6 to 12             fully expanded per main branch. Average Length:             Approximately 9.0 cm. including petiole. Average Width:             Approximately 3.8 cm. Shape of blade: Deltoid. Apex: Acute.             Base: Truncate. Attachment: Stalked. Margin: Crenate.             Texture of top surface: Matte, glabrous. Reticulate. Texture             of bottom surface: Matte, glabrous, reticulate. Color: Young             foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137B. Young foliage under             side: Near RHS Green 137D. Mature foliage upper side: Near             RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green             137C. Venation: Type: Reticulate. Venation color upper side:             Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Venation color under side: Near             RHS Green 137D. Petiole: Average Length: Approximately             3.9 cm. Diameter: Approximately 0.2 cm. Color: Near Green             137A. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Opposite. Quantity: Average range 6 to 12             fully expanded per main branch. Average Length:             Approximately 9.0 cm. including petiole. Average Width:             Approximately 3.8 cm. Shape of blade: Deltoid. Apex: Acute.             Base: Truncate. Attachment: Stalked. Margin: Crenate.             Texture of top surface: Matte, glabrous. Reticulate. Texture             of bottom surface: Matte, glabrous, reticulate. Color: Young             foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137B. Young foliage under             side: Near RHS Green 137D. Mature foliage upper side: Near             RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green             137C. Venation: Type: Reticulate. Venation color upper side:             Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Venation color under side: Near             RHS Green 137D. Petiole: Average Length: Approximately             3.9 cm. Diameter: Approximately 0.2 cm. Color: Near Green             137A. -   Flower:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Flowering from early Spring until             the first heavy frost.         -   Inflorescence type and habit.—Flowers arranged in             verticillasters on spikes.         -   Flower longevity on plant.—Individual flowers last             approximately 7 to 10 days on the plant. Each spike lasts             approximately 4 to 6 weeks with flowers. Corolla self             cleaning, calyx persistent.         -   Quantity of flowers.—About 12 to 16 buds and 24 to 36 fully             opened flowers per spike, at one time. Mature plants have             approximately 20 to 30 spikes.         -   Spike size.—Diameter: Approximately 10.0 cm. Height:             Approximately 20.0 cm.         -   Individual flowers.—         -   Size.—Diameter: Approximately 1.0 cm. Length: Approximately             4.4 cm. Fragrance: Very faint.         -   Corolla.—Petal arrangement: The corolla is sympetalous and             typically bilabiate with 2 small, fully fused lobes forming             a single upper lip and 3 larger fused lobes forming a lower             lip Margin: Entire. Tip shape: Upper lip tip obtuse, lower             lip tip retuse Length: Upper lip Approximately 1.0 cm, Lower             lip Approximately 0.6 cm. Tube length Approximately 2.7 cm.             Width: Upper lip: Approximately 0.4 cm, lower lip             Approximately 1.0 cm. Tube width: Approximately 0.7 cm.             Texture: Upper lip: Glabrous all surfaces. Lower lip:             Glabrous all surfaces.         -   Color.—Upper Lip: When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS Red             44A Outer surface: Near RHS Red 44A Fully opened: Inner             surface: Near RHS Red 42A Outer surface: Near RHS Red 44B             Fading: Inner surface: Near RHS Red 42C Outer surface: Near             RHS Red 42B.         -   Color.—Lower Lip: When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS Red             44B Outer surface: Near RHS Red 44B Fully opened: Inner             surface: Near RHS Red 42B Outer surface: Near RHS Red 44C             Fading: Inner surface: Near RHS Red 42C Outer surface: Near             RHS Red 42C.         -   Color.—Tube: When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS Red 42D             Outer surface: Near RHS Red 42B Fully opened: Inner surface:             Near RHS Red 42D Outer surface: Near RHS Red 42B Fading:             Inner surface: Near RHS Red 42D Outer surface: Near RHS Red             42C.         -   Bud.—Flower bud includes immature calyx which completely             surrounds immature corolla. Shape: Ovoid Length:             Approximately 1.6 cm Diameter: Approximately 0.7 cm Color:             Near RHS Red 45A.         -   Calyx.—Length: Approximately 2.1 cm Diameter: Approximately             0.9 cm Shape: Tubular.         -   Sepals.—Shape: Quantity per flower: 3, fused to form a tube.             Unfused apex. Length: Approximately 0.7 cm unfused portion             Width: Approximately 1.1 cm Margin: Entire Apex: Acute to             short apiculate. Texture: Softly pubescent. Color: Immature:             Near RHS Red 46A Mature: Near RHS Red 46B.         -   Peduncle.—Length: Average 4.0 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm Color:             Near RHS Red 44B. Orientation: Straight to slight outward             curve, approximately 15 to 25 degree angle from center of             plant. Strength: Strong. Texture: Softly pubescent, ridged.         -   Pedicels.—Length: Average range 0.3 to 0.8 cm. Diameter: 0.1             cm Color: Near RHS Red 45A Orientation: Straight,             approximately 75 to 90 degree angle from attachment.             Strength: Flexible. Texture: Pubescent. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Number: 2 Filament length: Approximately 1.7 cm             Filament color: Near RHS White N155A.         -   Anthers.—Shape: Linear Color: Greyed-Orange 164C Length:             About 2 mm Pollen: Scant pollen observed, colored near             Greyed-Yellow 161D.         -   Pistil.—Number: 1 Length: Approximately 3.7 cm Style:             Length: Approximately 3.4 cm Color: Near RHS White N155C             Stigma: Shape: Forked. Color: Near RHS Red 46A Ovary:             Colored near RHS White N155C, oblong, approximately 0.3 cm             long and 0.2 in diameter. -   Other characteristics:     -   -   Seeds and fruits.—Fruit is a paper capsule, approximately 5             mm long and 3 mm wide. Colored near Grey-Orange 164C.             Typically 4 seeds per pod, approximately 2 mm long and 2 mm             wide. Colored near Brown 200B.         -   Disease/pest resistance.—Neither resistance nor             susceptibility to pathogens and pests common to Salvia             splendens have been observed. The most common disease is             powdery mildew (many Genus and species). Common pests             include aphid and nematode.         -   Temperature tolerance.—The new variety is a tender             herbaceous perennial, tolerating temperatures within USDA             zones 10 to 11. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Salvia plant named ‘SGRRE04-1’ as herein illustrated and described. 